Emilio Ariel Atamanuk

Started: He took up the sport in 2016 in Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina, and began competing a year later. (obispadocastrenseargentina.org, 01 Jan 2019) Reason: He was inspired to get involved in Para sport after attending the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. He discovered Para canoe during an exhibition in Cordoba, Argentina. "I went to Mario Kempes Stadium and tried kayak. A coach spotted me and invited me to join. I liked the kayak and the water transmitted a sense of quietness, which motivated me to join the national team and to use it as part of my rehabilitation." (obispadocastrenseargentina.org, 01 Jan 2019; cadena3.com, 12 Jul 2017) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (primeraedicion.com.ar, 24 Aug 2023) Awards: In 2021 and 2022 he was named Para Canoe Athlete of the Year by the Circle of Sports Journalists of Argentina. (primeraedicion.com.ar, 23 Dec 2022) He was named Male Para Athlete of the Year for 2022 in the Argentinian province of Cordoba. (canalshowsport.com.ar, 07 Dec 2022; prensa.cba.gov.ar, 29 Nov 2022) In 2021 he received the Pio Leon Award for Sports from the municipality of Jesus Maria, Argentina. (radiojesusmaria.com.ar, 28 Sep 2021) In 2018 he was named Best Sportsman in Jesus Maria, Argentina. (jesusmaria.gov.ar, 18 Dec 2018) Additional Info: OCCUPATION He is a member of the Argentine National Gendarmerie. (Instagram profile, 14 May 2024)